Training Effects on Family Life

Compromise is the key.  Make sure that you are considerate of the family needs.  See if you can train on your lunch break (or dinner), whatever.  Also look toward working out right after or just before work, so it doesn't seem to segment your family time.  I go into work at 5:00 am, so I can get off at 4 and go train.  Then I get home by 6:00, so it seems like I am working a normal 9-5 job.  I also run at lunch and ride a trainer several times a week, so I can spend time with family.  My only multi hour workouts are on the weekends when I get up again at 5:30-6 so I can go workout and am home by 9 or 10 and have the rest of the day to play with my wife and kid.

It's not always fun, but showing that you are making an effort to be there helps.

Good luck.

Everybody needs their own time and hobbies.  A two hour workout is a fairly small period to be away doing something.  If you were a golfer, you'd be away for 5+ hours every time you played.  As long as you're not planning your workouts at bad times for your wife and she's getting her opportunities to break away as well, I don't see any problem with taking 2-4 for long workouts on the weekends and 1-2 hours a day during the week. 

Note:  I don't have kinds, and my wife is a triathlete as well.  I know I can't speak to what life is like w/ kids!

I'm really struggling with this lately.  I now do all my workouts in the morning before everyone wakes but the flipside to this is I pretty much have to go to bed between 9:30-10:30 to feel well rested which cuts into alone time with my hubby.  Then the weekends - It's hard to get a long ride in - I start feeling *really* guilty when the clock hits the 2 hr mark.  My hubby is supportive but still - unless you wake at dawn - you are really eating in to family weekend time.  Factor in social obligations and life's boring duties and there isn't much time left for fun. 

The other thing that sucks is you are always working out in the dark!!  How do people cycle in the dark? 

I struggle with this as well.  I've been a runner and triatlete off and on for more than 20-years...married for 12 years...2-kids.  Before kids my wife and i were both very active with running and triathlon.  she still runs and will do an occasional race but for the most part her focus is the kids.  there are times she gets upset with me because I am out training...especially this summer because I am training in prep for Redman.  Like others have said, comminication is very important!  I make sure she knows what day on the weekend will be my long workout.  The other day I make sure I am there for the kids so she can have some time for herself (I might do something later in the day).  During the week I get out of bed as early as 330 am some days to train so not to take the evening. Once in a while I might run at lunch but then I end up working later so I don't feel I gain anything there. Also, occasionally I will ride my bike to work as part of my training (70-miles RT).  Anyway, it's not easy and I also feel that I am not there for my family as much as I should...at least this summer I have.  Again, the most important thing is to communicate with your wife and reassure her that she and the kids are more important than triathlon.  yep, that might mean missing a planned workout to take the family to the pool.